HOUSTON — With Brennan absorbing another injury to its offensive backfield, junior quarterback Da'Shawn Key did what he's been doing all season.

He took over.

Key rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries to lead the Bears in their 31-7 victory over Houston Stratford in their Class 4A Division I state semifinal Friday at Reliant Stadium. Brennan will play Denton Guyer or Dallas Highland Park for the state championship next week. Guyer and Highland Park play Saturday.

“It was a challenge, but I knew I could handle it with my team behind me,” said Key, who has rushed for more than 1,700 yards this season.

The Bears needed that production after running back Troy Irby was helped off the field with a leg injury late in the first quarter with the game tied at 7.

It was only Irby's second game at running back. He moved over from the defensive line the week before to fill out the Bears' two-back set with Nathaniel Wells Jr.

Against Leander Rouse, Irby rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown in a 30-7 victory. He was replacing Makai Green, who is out with a broken collarbone. Irby's injury left Wells as the Bears' only healthy starting running back.

After Irby was hurt, Key finished off the drive with a 14-yard score early in the second quarter that gave the Bears the lead for good. Key added touchdown runs of 1 and 43 yards.

“De'Shawn played wonderful,” Wells said. “He's a great running back, quarterback. He can play any position on the field. I love him. He's my best friend, and we are ready to win state together.”

Wells rushed 19 times for 88 yards and a score as the Bears piled up 292 yards on the ground.

Key also completed 5 of 6 passes for 65 yards, but he said the running game was the factor.

“Just ground-and-pound,” Key said. “Our line was pushing them back, and we were just running them over.”